Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What are today's news agenda for the English, Bahasa and Tamil papers? Find out here.

Frontpage

English newspapers

New Straits Times front-paged with a report that the Anti-Corruption Agency had opened files on the contractor and plumber of the new RM270 million Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jalan Duta following the inundation of the court's cafeteria on Tuesday. The publication also reported as second lead on the survival of a driver of a Proton Iswara who plunged six floors to the ground floor of a multi-storey car-park in Penang. The driver escaped with only a minor injury.

The Star led today with the announcement of the set-up of a new database by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission so that all stolen or lost handphones can be demobilised upon being reported stolen. The daily also reported on its frontpage the survival of the driver who had escaped largely unhurt after her car fell six floors down a carpark.

The Sun led with the victory of American Idol Jordin Sparks, who became the youngest winner after beating an older male rival. It also reported on the damage to some files, including high-profile cases, at the court complex on Jalan Duta following the overflow of a sewerage manhole.

Bahasa newspapers

Utusan Malaysia frontpaged with the 'declaration of war' by the civil servants' union Cuepacs on businesses that 'took advantage' of the rise of public sector income to raise the prices of their goods. It also reported on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's assertion that Malaysia does not need to refer to Singapore in order for the Iskandar Development Region project in Johor to succeed.

Utusan had a third report in which Parti Keadilan Rakyat former deputy president Abdul Rahman Othman said it is 'not proper' for party advisor Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, incumbent president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to contest against each other for the party's top post. Abdul Rahman, who was also the party's former treasurer, is also vying for the position.

Berita Harian led with the survival of the woman whose car fell six floors down the carpark in Penang. It also reported on the ACA investigations on the contractor and plumber of the Kuala Lumpur court complex.

Tamil papers

Tamil Nesan carried a frontpage news about the death of MIC president S Samy Vellu's younger brother SP Vellu. Samy was reported as being very close to his brother, who was a lawyer.

Malaysia Nanban led with an interview with Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader S Nallakaruppan who expressed his disappointment over the manner he was treated by the party leadership. Nallakaruppan told the daily that he was quitting the party.

Makkal Osai also had a frontpage report about SP Vellu's death. Its main story was however on the LTTE attacks on Sri Lankan forces which killed 45 government troops.


Editorial

English newspapers

New Straits Times said that despite the evident decline in the number of school students who have been expelled, suspended, or caned, there is every reason to for the authorities to ensure they know the real situation in schools. A case in point, said the daily, is the recent investigation of six secondary school principals for allegedly downplaying the extent of bad behavior in their schools.

Bahasa newspapers

Berita Harian said the government should not be unduly hurried into selecting national car company Proton's foreign strategic partner. While increasing the competitiveness of Proton, it also has to ensure that the local automotive industry develops. Proton, meanwhile, should exercise more creativity in seeking to carve out its niche with competitive prices.

Utusan Malaysia contained several opinion pieces which commented on the civil servants' pay hike. It also contained a call from one writer who urged the health authorities not to dither over the distribution of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids. Islam, said the writer, prioritises the saving of life over everything else.


Others

Newspapers today also reported Forbes Asia magazine's list of Malaysia's 40 richest business people - they are worth US$43 billion, a 65 per cent jump from 2006, with former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's son joining the list. Mokhzani Mahathir, 46, ranked 28 with net worth of US$220 million after
publicly listing his energy company Kencana last December.

Seri Eleena Raja Azlan Shah, who is daughter of Perak sultan, is the list's second woman after Chong Chook Yew, thanks to her shareholding in thriving construction firm Gamuda rising 90 per cent in the past year. A trained lawyer, Seri Eleena is at No 25 with assets of US$228 million.

Meanwhile there's no change in the top two richest Malaysians this year - sugar baron Robert Kuok (US$7.6 billion) and telecommunications tycoon Ananda Krishnan (US$7.4 billion).